Electrode extension



uly 20, 1948. I H. 1.. PHILLIPS 2,445,363

ELECTRODE EXTENSION Filed Jan. 27, 1948 Homer -L. Phillips IN VEN TOR.

Patented July 20, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRODE EXTENSION Homer L. Phiilipa dharleston, W. Va.

Application January 27, 1948, Serial No. 4,673 r graphing, blue-printing, and the like, and the 1 principal object of the invention is to increase the useful life of the electrode beyond conventionally possible limits, in other words, to facilitate additional usage of the electrode after, in accordance with conventional practice, it becomes too short for satisfactory service while being held in the electrode holder.

The are lamp is usually constructed so as to prevent the electrode holders from being burnt, and as a result, the electrode While burning reaches a minimum length, after which it is removed from the holder and discarded. It is thus apparent that a portion of the electrode, which is considerable, is wasted, and it is, as aforesaid, an object of the invention to eliminate a substantial portion of this undue wastage.

This object is achieved by the provision of an extension so constructed that a partially burned electrode may be removed from its holder and applied to the extension, the latter, in turn, being inserted in the holder, whereby an electrode which would normally be discarded is capable of further, efficient use.

An additional object of the invention is to facilitate quick and convenient ejection of the electrode from the extension when the electrode is no longer fit for use.

This additional object is achieved by the provision of a slidable plunger in the extension, whereby the electrode may be quickly and easily ejected.

An important feature of the invention resides in the provision of an electrode extension which is simple in construction, which may be conveniently employed with electrodes and lamps of various sizes and types, and which will readily lend itself to economical manufacture.

With the above more important objects and features in View and such other objects and features as may become apparent as this specification proceeds, the invention consists essentially of the construction and arrangement of parts as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention, showing an electrode situ therein;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal side sectional view of the invention;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of the line 3--3 of Figure 1, and

4 Claims. (01. 176-119) Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the ejecting plunger used in the invention.

Like characters of reference are employed to designate like parts in the specification and throughout the several views.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, the invention consists of an electrode extension designated generally by the reference character It), the same embodying in its construction a substantially cylindrical body l2 having an enlarged portion or head [4 provided at one end thereof, the body l2 also being formed with an axial bore l6 which is counterbored at l8 in the enlarged head M of the body, while the remaining end portion of the bore I6 is diametrically reduced to provide a restricted passage 20, terminating in a further counterbore 22.

It is to be noted that the diameter of the counterbore I8 is substantially equal to the outside diameter of the body l2, the counterbore l8 being intended to receive therein an end portion of a conventional electrode 24. a

In order to facilitate secure yet removable positioning of the electrode 24 in the counterbore IS, the head portion [4 and the portion of the body l2 formed with the bore I6 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending, open-ended slots 26, whereby the slotted portion of the body, including the head l4, assumes resilient characteristics and functions in the manner of retaining jaws 28 for the electrode.

The advantages of the extension, when in use, can be readily appreciated, since when an electrode is partially burned, it may be removed from the electrode holder (not shown) and placed in the counterbore I8, whereupon the body portion [2 of the extension is simply inserted in the holder, so that the useful life of the electrode is substantially extended. Needless to say, the substantially equal diameter of the counterbore I8 with respect to the body I2 facilitates substitution of the electrode by the body portion of the extension, as will be readily appreciated.

Means are provided for ejecting the electrode from the counterbore l8 when the electrode can no longer be used, said means including an ejecting plunger 30 which is slidably disposed in the bore I6 and is formed integrally with a stem 32 slidable in the passage 20. The stem 32 projects outwardly from the passage 20 and carries at its outer extremity an enlarged hand or knob 34- which is secured thereon by means of a transversely extending pin 36.

A portion of the knob 34 is receivable in the counterbore 22, and when an electrode (24) is in position in the ounterbore I8, the stein 32 is disposed in its outwardly projecting position, as shown in the accompanying drawings.

However, when it is desired to eject the electrode from the extension, this is accomplished by simply pushing the knob 34 in the direction of the arrow 38, whereby the plunger 30, by engaging the electrode, will eject the latter from the counterbore I8.

It is to be noted that the ejecting plunger 30 will facilitate expedient removal of the electrode from the extension, which feature is of particular importance if the electrode should become seized in the jaws 28 by excessive heat.

It is believed that the advantages and use of the invention will be clearly understood from the foregoing disclosure and accordingly, further description thereof at this point is deemed unnecessary.

While in the foregoing there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of this invention it is. to be understood that minor changes in the details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:.

, 1. An electrode extension comprising a substantially cylindrical body having an enlarged portion at one end thereof, said body being provided with an axial bore and with a counterbore in said enlarged portion, said counterbore being substantially equal in diameter to the outside diameter of said body and being intended to receive an electrode therein, and an electrode ejecting plunger slidable in said bore.

2. The device as defined in claim 1 together with an outwardly projecting stem on said plunger, and an enlarged head at the outer end of said stem.

3. An electrode extension comprising a substantially cylindrical body having an enlarged portion at one end thereof, said body being provided with an axial bore and with a counterbore in said enlarged portion, the remaining end portion of said bore being diametrically reduced and forming a restricted passage, said counterbore being substantially equal in diameter to the outside diameter of said body and being intended to receive an electrode therein, an electrode ejecting plunger slidable in said bore and engageable with said electrode, an outwardly projecting stem provided on said plunger and slidable in said passage, and an enlarged head at the outer end of said stem.

4. The device as defined in claim 3, wherein the enlarged end portion of said body is formed with longitudinally extending and open-ended slots, said slots separating said enlarged portion into a plurality of resilient electrode retaining jaws.

HOMER L, PHILLIPS, 

